Double-blinded, randomized phase II study using embolization with or without granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in uveal melanoma with hepatic metastases.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of immunoembolization with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in patients with uveal melanoma (UM) with liver-only metastasis.

Materials And Methods: In this double-blind phase II clinical trial, patients were randomized to undergo immunoembolization or bland embolization (BE). Lobar treatment was performed with GM-CSF or normal saline solution mixed with ethiodized oil followed by embolization with gelatin sponge emulsified with iodinated contrast medium.

A pilot study of sunitinib malate in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma.

The prognosis of patients with metastatic uveal melanoma is poor and there are limited therapeutic options. C-kit is expressed in the majority of patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. In this pilot trial, we examined the toxicity and efficacy of sunitinib malate, a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma.

Implant and long-term evaluation of atrial signal amplification in a single-lead ICD.

Background: In patients without clinical indications for pacing the use of a single-lead implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implementing atrial sensing capability with proper signal amplification management may represent a useful therapeutic option, combining the positive features of both single and dual-chamber devices. The aim of the study was to evaluate the atrial signal amplification and its long-term stability in a single-lead ICD system adding atrial sensing to a standard single-chamber ICD.

Methods: P-wave amplitudes were collected and compared at implant both with a conventional external device ("unfiltered" P wave) and telemetrically with the implanted ICD ("filtered" P wave).

Long-term patient acceptance of and satisfaction with implanted device remote monitoring.

Aims: To evaluate patients' acceptance and satisfaction of the Home Monitoring (HM) remote control system after 1 year of follow-up by a self-made questionnaire (HM Acceptance and Satisfaction Questionnaire, HoMASQ) specifically designed for this purpose.

Methods And Results: The HoMASQ contains 12 items designed to investigate five different aspects strictly connected to patient's acceptance and satisfaction of remote monitoring: (i) relationship with their healthcare provider, (ii) easy of use of HM technology, (iii) related psychological aspects, (iv) implications on general health, and (v) overall satisfaction. Each item was rated on a five-point scale: from 0 to 4 with favourable responses score > or =2.

Home monitoring in patients with implantable cardiac devices: is there a potential reduction of stroke risk? Results from a computer model tested through monte carlo simulations.

Introduction: Patients with pacemakers and implantable defibrillators (ICD) may experience asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), detected with a delay depending on the in-person follow-up schedule. Home monitoring (HM) remote control with automatic alerts for AF may drive early anticoagulation, potentially reducing stroke risk.

Methods And Results: A sample of 136 pacemaker (103) and ICD (33) patients with or without cardiac resynchronization therapy not taking anticoagulation at implant were monitored remotely with HM.